Brazilian PepperBrazilian Pepper Schinus terebinthifolius Schinus terebinthifolius (Raddi) (Raddi)

AnacardiaceaeAnacardiaceae

BiologyBiology• Native to Argentina, Paraguay and BrazilNative to Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil

• Introduced to Florida in mid 1800’sIntroduced to Florida in mid 1800’s

• Same plant family as poison ivy, poison Same plant family as poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumacoak, poison sumac

• Individuals may show sensitivityIndividuals may show sensitivity

–Rash, dermatitisRash, dermatitis

–Respiratory problems during bloomRespiratory problems during bloom

BackgroundBackgroundEconomic UsesEconomic Uses• Cultivated since Cultivated since

the 19the 19thth century as century as an ornamentalan ornamental

• Hedge plantHedge plant• Bright red berries Bright red berries

and glossy green and glossy green foliagefoliage

DistributionDistribution• Found throughout much of central and Found throughout much of central and

south Florida >700,000 acressouth Florida >700,000 acres

• Commonly found in hammocks, pinelands, Commonly found in hammocks, pinelands, mangrove forests – ranges from aquatic to mangrove forests – ranges from aquatic to terrestrial habitatsterrestrial habitats

• Also found in warmer coastal areas, far Also found in warmer coastal areas, far north and west as Santa Rosa Countynorth and west as Santa Rosa County

Brazilian Pepper Distribution in Brazilian Pepper Distribution in FloridaFlorida

ImpactsImpacts• Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)

–Able to spread into undisturbed sitesAble to spread into undisturbed sites

• Produces an almost impenetrable Produces an almost impenetrable canopycanopy

• Shades out desirable species, displaces Shades out desirable species, displaces plants and animalsplants and animals

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Shrub or small Shrub or small

tree – 30 feet in tree – 30 feet in heightheight

• Short trunk, Short trunk, highly branched, highly branched, thick rangy thick rangy appearanceappearance

• Long-lived > 30 Long-lived > 30 yearsyears

LeavesLeaves• Alternately Alternately

arrangedarranged• 1 to 2 inches 1 to 2 inches

longlong• Finely toothed Finely toothed

marginsmargins• Reddish-orange Reddish-orange

midribmidrib

FlowersFlowers• Flowers occur Flowers occur

in clustersin clusters

• White, 2 to 3 White, 2 to 3 inches longinches long

• Occurs from Occurs from September to September to NovemberNovember

Fruit and SeedFruit and Seed• Fruits are borne in Fruits are borne in

clusters, initially clusters, initially green, turning redgreen, turning red

• Mature in DecemberMature in December

• Readily eaten by Readily eaten by birds, high dispersal birds, high dispersal in Floridain Florida

• Dark brown seedsDark brown seeds

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are resprouts and before seeds are producedproduced

3.3. Avoid use of possibly contaminated Avoid use of possibly contaminated mulch with Brazilian pepper seedsmulch with Brazilian pepper seeds

4.4. Prevent seed spread and dispersalPrevent seed spread and dispersal

5.5. Rouge out trees in abandoned areasRouge out trees in abandoned areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners

about the problems associated with about the problems associated with Brazilian pepper and proper Brazilian pepper and proper identificationidentification

2.2. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for Brazilian pepper agents available for Brazilian pepper management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

2.2. However, several are currently being However, several are currently being evaluatedevaluated

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsall roots, repeated pulling for resprouts

2.2. Cut tree down at ground levelCut tree down at ground level

3.3. Girdling is effective for large treesGirdling is effective for large trees Cut through bark approximately 6 inches Cut through bark approximately 6 inches

above the ground, encircling tree baseabove the ground, encircling tree base

4.4. Mowing is effective on small saplings Mowing is effective on small saplings and resprouts, but must be repeatedand resprouts, but must be repeated

Chemical - FoliarChemical - Foliar1.1. Over-the-top applications for seedlings, Over-the-top applications for seedlings,

resprouts and small treesresprouts and small trees

2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide Triclopyr – 2% solutionTriclopyr – 2% solution Glyphosate – 2% solutionGlyphosate – 2% solution Imazapyr - 0.5 to 1.0% solutionImazapyr - 0.5 to 1.0% solution Use surfactant at 0.25% Use surfactant at 0.25%

3.3. Best results applied July to OctoberBest results applied July to October

Chemical - BasalChemical - Basal1.1. Individual trees, near desirable speciesIndividual trees, near desirable species

2.2. Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal oiloil

3.3. Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on tree trunktree trunk

4.4. Wet thoroughly for good control, spray Wet thoroughly for good control, spray until run-off is noticeable at ground lineuntil run-off is noticeable at ground line

Chemical – Cut StumpChemical – Cut Stump

1.1. Individual trees, near desirable speciesIndividual trees, near desirable species

2.2. Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near ground levelground level

3.3. Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or triclopyr; 10% solution of imazapyrtriclopyr; 10% solution of imazapyr

4.4. Cover the outer 20% of the stumpCover the outer 20% of the stump

5.5. Marker (blue) dye is helpful Marker (blue) dye is helpful

Useful LinksUseful Links• Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Pacific

Island Ecosystems at Risk: http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• Francis, J.K. Schinus terebinthifolius

(Raddi) Brazilian pepper-tree. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. http://www.fs.fed.us

• Elfers, S.C. FLFO. Element Stewardship Abstract for Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper-tree. The Nature Conservancy. http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/

Literature CitedLiterature Cited• Hall, D.W. 2003. Weeds in Florida, SP 37, Hall, D.W. 2003. Weeds in Florida, SP 37,

Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Florida.

• Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.

• Gioeli, K. and K. Langeland. 1997. Brazilian Gioeli, K. and K. Langeland. 1997. Brazilian Pepper-tree Control. Publication SS-AGR-17. Pepper-tree Control. Publication SS-AGR-17. Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.